I have a 2000 Prerunner reg cab w/ a 2.7l engine. I have long been considering attempting to convert to 4wd but that just seems to be such a pain. All I really want to do is to improve my performance in snowy conditions encountered on occasional ski trips. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Better performance in winter conditions
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The only ones available for the non-TRD axle are the ARB Air-Locker, which is air-actuated and driver selectable, and the Powertrax Lockright and No-Slip, which are automatic.
I personally have a No-Slip, which has served me fine through some pretty hardcore wheeling (for an IFS truck with minimal mods).
I personally have a No-Slip, which has served me fine through some pretty hardcore wheeling (for an IFS truck with minimal mods).
Airing down would work too, but make sure you do so with warm tires, otherwise you could drop way below where you want to be once those tires cool off.
My truck seems to be pretty handy on ice and snow. With the locker it's kind of tailhappy, but the stability of the wide tires makes it feel planted. I passed some people on the way to a ski area here in Utah, and they were on dry pavement and I was on packed snow/ice with deep ruts, and passed them by at least 15MPH. The rearend stayed right in line with the front and the BFG A/Ts kept me moving forward.
My truck seems to be pretty handy on ice and snow. With the locker it's kind of tailhappy, but the stability of the wide tires makes it feel planted. I passed some people on the way to a ski area here in Utah, and they were on dry pavement and I was on packed snow/ice with deep ruts, and passed them by at least 15MPH. The rearend stayed right in line with the front and the BFG A/Ts kept me moving forward.
I'm not sure I agree with your idea for a locker. I have an 04 with the TRD locker. This is my first truck with one, so I have been playing around a bit with it. I have been trying to use it going in and out of slick driveways. It just seems to make the rear end go sideways that much easier. Granted, everything around here has a nice layer of ice under the snow. But, the locker hasn't helped me out.
I am sure it will help in certain situations. But it ain't gonna help in all.
On my last 2wd Toy ('93), I went out and got a set of true snow tires and 250 pounds of sand. Plowed thru everything, no problem.
I am sure it will help in certain situations. But it ain't gonna help in all.
On my last 2wd Toy ('93), I went out and got a set of true snow tires and 250 pounds of sand. Plowed thru everything, no problem.
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A good set of new tires Like BFG A/T's Make a world of difference. I have a 4x4 but rarely need it with my new tires.....& we have lots of snow here in Michigan.
Well, I did say that, on ice, the locker is only good for going in straight lines. I also said that it makes my truck more prone to fishtailing.
I still say that the best bet is getting 100 or so pounds in the rear of the bed and maybe getting some good tires, like BFG A/Ts, which I run.
I still say that the best bet is getting 100 or so pounds in the rear of the bed and maybe getting some good tires, like BFG A/Ts, which I run.
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A locker on icy roads up to the ski area is unsafe, nobody should even suggest this.
-Chris
-Chris
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883 Posts
You don't want a locker for ice and snow pack...it will just make it easier for the rear to pass the front!!
I had a RWD Volvo for my first car and put sand in the trunk and studded tires on the rear for winter with a good M&S rated all season tire on the front....for all but the deepest snow it did fine...unless it's really deep or really icy I hardly ever need 4WD to get to and from the ski areas!
if you are going to a ski area and the roads aren't plowed and treated all the way to the lot you'll be stuck in the road behind some dummy with bald tires that can't make it up hill anyway!
I had a RWD Volvo for my first car and put sand in the trunk and studded tires on the rear for winter with a good M&S rated all season tire on the front....for all but the deepest snow it did fine...unless it's really deep or really icy I hardly ever need 4WD to get to and from the ski areas!
if you are going to a ski area and the roads aren't plowed and treated all the way to the lot you'll be stuck in the road behind some dummy with bald tires that can't make it up hill anyway!
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115 Posts
nothing but chains and studs help in ice. rubber plus ice = slippery
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For those that dont understand...lockers suck on ice/packed snow. Even the slightest turn will make one wheel lose traction from lack of wheel speed differentiation. Then you have half as much traction.
Powerder with good tires, on the otherhand, lower the tire pressure na dthe locker should be fine. No slippery situation there.
Powerder with good tires, on the otherhand, lower the tire pressure na dthe locker should be fine. No slippery situation there.
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883 Posts
It depends on the LSD set up, a lot of cars with LSD also suck in limited traction situations where the rear end slides under power ...with out going into to much detail it is not a solution either!
...since you have an auto tranny in the pre runner you can modulate the brake pedal with your left foot to help slow down the slipping tire and regain traction to both drive wheels...or take off with light pressure on the brake to keep from spinning your tires and losing traction!
a locker or LSD will in practical terms do little for improving steering and braking on slippery surfaces... so think about tires and traction solutions first.
...since you have an auto tranny in the pre runner you can modulate the brake pedal with your left foot to help slow down the slipping tire and regain traction to both drive wheels...or take off with light pressure on the brake to keep from spinning your tires and losing traction!
a locker or LSD will in practical terms do little for improving steering and braking on slippery surfaces... so think about tires and traction solutions first.
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32 Posts
I was using my locker on a windy ice road and truck didnt turn the second half of an s curve and hit a pole and uprooted a tree. basically didnt do much damage since i hit it with my safari bar. but it sure was scary since there was a cliff and i would have rolled it if i wouldnt of hit the tree.
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